Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council (MECAC)

Writers' Workshop with Dr. Dean Nelson on 1/14/12!

2012-01-02T22:39:00.000-08:00

Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council presents

A WORKSHOP ON WRITING

Saturday, January 14, 9 a.m - 4 p.m.

Pine Valley Bible Conference Center

Guest Speaker/Instructor:

Dr. Dean Nelson,

Director of Journalism,

Point Loma Nazarene University,

Director, Writer’s Symposium By The Sea

Dr. Dean Nelson is the founder and director of the journalism program at PLNU. He writes occasionally for the New York Times, the Boston Globe, Christianity Today, Sojourners, and several other national publications. He has written or co-written 11 books. Nelson is a frequent speaker at writing workshops and retreats. He has traveled throughout the world covering stories of human interest, including India, where he wrote about the slums of Bombay; Kosovo, where he interviewed and wrote about victims of terrorism; Africa, where he wrote about members of the Black Panther Party who live in exile in Tanzania; Tibet, where he wrote about religious persecution; and Central America, where he wrote about poverty and contaminated water. In addition to directing the PLNU journalism program, Nelson also hosts the annual Writer's Symposium By The Sea, where prominent writers come to discuss the craft of writing. This will be Dr. Nelson’s second workshop for MECAC.

Registration cost: $35 (includes lunch)

Mail the following registration form with check to:

Workshop Registration: c/o Elizabeth Barrett,

P.O. Box 1287 , Pine Valley CA 91962

(Make checks out to MECAC)

Driving directions will be included with our confirmation

Organized and Directed by:

Dianne Holly: holly@theaterdance.ucsb.edu

Judith Dupree: adlib_pv@sbcglobal.net, Ph. 619-473-8683

(Contact for more information and scholarship inquiry)

Saturday, May 8 at 7:00 PM: Concert at Pine Valley Bible Conference Center

2010-05-06T15:10:00.001-07:00

Click on image to enlarge

New Family Focus to Arts/Writing Conference!

2010-04-05T16:46:00.000-07:00

Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council

invites you to a weekend

to remember . . . and treasure:

“Uncommon Community . . . Uncommon Commitment”

(Check Out Registration/Pricing Above for Reduced Rates, Especially for Families!)

A few months ago, we (MECAC) planned a Workshop for Artists & Writers. A very good idea! I hope you saw the e-flyer. But something has nibbled at my overloaded psyche, and left me with second thoughts about an arts-exclusive focus: Life in the “real world”—the multiple issues that press upon us day by day, and the escalation of national and world problems. Artists and writers, and all sorts of people who simply celebrate art and writing, are deeply concerned about the hard issues that life in today’s world imposes. There is an unending interplay between expressing creativity and handling the ordinary and inevitable hard realities of living.

This leads us to a slight but obvious change of focus. This, in part, is what we want to offer you for a weekend: A way of stepping outside your normal boundaries and busy-ness, to join others who are affected (perhaps unconsciously) or afflicted by the rigors of our national life—Indeed, global life—and want to better understand and withstand and respond to it as creative people.

We often feel torn between our unmet need for creative expression and the rude facts of living in a sometimes “hostile” world. Admittedly, we may feel guilty at times for wanting to run away to a quiet place. (Our artsy self needs tending!) Growing national and universal distress is the elephant in everyone’s living room. Climate change, global unrest, and societal upheaval confront us each morning. Perhaps we would do well to bring our creative natures into a larger discussion of core values, and the problems of today’s very fragile world. How do we live in light of this darkness? How do we respond as writers and artists? How does it invade, inform, shape what we do? Where might it take us creatively? This may be an entry to new life for us.

As people who believe in the value of arts, the practice and enjoyment of them, and their soul-necessity, we can move in small, incremental ways—as people who are not “consumed by consumerism,” or defeated by despair. Consider what some small steps toward inventive living in times of crisis might be. How do we build or join in a supportive community? How do we “tend” each other and care for those beyond us, in a toughening world? We can gather hope from our inner resources, from those around us, and from the wisdom of the past, to create hope for the future. This is Fine Art. Does this sound like a healthy challenge? We believe it is.

Come join the adventure. We will have morning time for art instruction and networking, and evening for fine music. But Saturday afternoon will be a time of reflection and creating our own prerequisites for what it means to us to thrive. Bring your viewpoint and ideas. Listen to what our faculty and your “neighbors” have to say. Something to take home and live well with.

Finally, two new additions: There will be a special track for children/youth, concurrent with the adults! And Mothers’ Day will be honored! All moms (with or without family attending) will be treated to Sunday brunch and a gift to take home. Check our blogsite below for special new registration stats on family options, length of stay and special new pricing to go with it.

For further information, e-mail Susanne at SusanneMBarrett@aol.com

MECAC Spring Fundraising Event on April 10!

2010-03-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

(Click on above image to enlarge)

DATE: Saturday, April 10th, 2010 2pm – 5pm
PLACE: Gloriosa Winery and Vineyard in Campo
TICKETS: $25 a couple; $15 single

The event will feature:
--Private stock tasting
--Tour of the vineyard
--Cases of private stock will be available for purchase

Entertainment: “Harpist” Susan Raimond will serenade us
Refreshments: Wines from Gloriosa Vineyard, and hors d’oeuvres catered by Campo Diner

Selected local artists will be on hand displaying their work including:
Sandra Hayden: works in oils and pastels
Rosa Ruiz: unique Southwestern and Fantasy Art from Spanish Village in Balboa Park

Dress “Casual and Comfortable.” This outdoor event will be held at the vineyard and you will be able to walk among the rows of grapes.

This “Spring Vineyard Tour” is the first of two planned for the year.

Spring is the time of year the buds come out and the fruit forms. You will see how they are trained to aid in the harvest.

We will meet again for the “Fall Vineyard Tour” on Saturday, August 14th, to see the fruits of this year’s labor just before harvest time.

The winery is also on site and the tour includes the barrel room where the tasting will occur. An indoor Clubhouse with restrooms and a seating area is available to winery visitors.

Tickets and reservations:
Michael Neff (619) 933-3756
Judith D. Dupree (619) 473-8683
Dianne Holly (619) 473-8760

Directions: From Interstate 8 take the Buckman Springs Rd. and exit to the south. Continue 12 miles to Highway 94 and turn left. Turn right on Sheridan Rd., left on Custer Rd., right on Gloriosa Way. Follow the signs to enter the Winery.

Arts & Writing Conference in May

2010-02-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

(click on above image to enlarge)
Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council Presents

"Beauty and the Beast:
Arts In An Age Of Adversity”

A Workshop and Seminar In Literary,

Visual, And Dramatic Arts

Friday, May 7 (5 pm)—Sunday, May 9, 2010 (Noon)
(Optional one-night-only registration is available,
in deference to Mothers' Day)

Pine Valley Bible Conference Center, Pine Valley, CA

“Art is man defining himself.” Ayn Rand ... (Women too, of course!)

We offer you a time apart to rethink, to respond, to recapture. We will hear from those who live with and for the arts. We will share our own journeys and listen to each other.

We will create time for stretching our souls or dabbling in our own medium. We will also listen, perhaps more fully, for the heartbeat of a struggling world.

Do you write? Draw? Paint? Act or sing—or carry your camera with you for that unexpected “Aha!” shot?

Is it an obsession, a business, a love affair, a dream you’ve tucked between your ears, behind your eyes, to consider now and again?

What underlies your doing (or avoiding!) this demanding, enticing, yin-yang work-play?

Is it something you’re burning to say to the world that can only be said in print or paint?

Or perhaps the search for a “place of purity,” of solace, or a steady joy, brings you to the practice?

In addition, the program will include a thoughtful presentation of and response to the theme, above,

with the intent of giving personal focus to the call of arts in today’s troubled world.

Workshop and Seminar

Moderated By Dr. Dean Nelson: Noted Author
Dean of Journalism, PLNU, San Diego, CA

Director, Writers' Symposium By The Sea

Guest Artists, Speakers, Musicians:

Dr. James Schaap, Professor, English/Literature, Dordt College,

Sioux Center, IA; Novelist, Essayist, Photographer

George Svoboda, Classical & Flamenco Guitar;

Teacher, Mesa College Music Program, San Diego,CA

Including:

Dianne Holly, Freehand Drawing; Norman Daniels, Plein Air Painting;

Susan Raimond, Music Composition (& Harp Concert);

Judith Dupree & Kathryn Belsey, poetry;

Donna Swennes, Fabric Art; Lee Swennes, Wood and Metal Crafting;

Larry McNamer, Front-of-House Engineer, “The Sound of Music”;

Keith Barrett, Stained Glass Art; Mesa College Guitar Ensemble

Tony Neff: Editor, BackCountry Messenger,
will teach a concurrent workshop on packaging, marketing, and publicizing your work.

FOR REGISTRATION, CONTACT:
MECAC, c/o Susanne Barrett, Registrar

P.O. Box 1287, Pine Valley CA 91962

SusanneMBarrett@aol.com

(Registration form available just under blog header on top of blog post)

Evening with the Swenneses Postponed

2010-01-22T22:50:00.000-08:00

Because of the snow/weather, tonight's MECAC Evening of Art is postponed to a later date. More news coming as events unfold....

An Evening of Art with Lee & Donna Swennes

2010-01-16T17:49:00.000-08:00

A Journey Through Christmas Canceled

2009-10-31T15:39:00.000-07:00

MECAC regrets to announce

that we have been forced to cancel

this December's production of A Journey Through Christmas.

MECAC will be planning something to do with the upcoming holiday season.

We are kicking around ideas and invite anyone and everyone interested to join us at

our next board meeting,

this Thursday, November 5,

starting at 1:00 PM

in the Community Room of the Pine Valley Library.

Some ideas we are considering are:

a Holiday Arts Fair

Wine & Cheese Party and Art Exhibition

an Arts Auction

If you're interested, bring along your thinking cap

and the willingness to "make it work"

and we'll see you at the November 5 Board Meeting!

Open Auditions for "A Journey Through Christmas"

2009-10-16T15:56:00.001-07:00

Actors? Singers? This is your chance!!!!!

Open Auditions for Acting and Choir Parts for
A Journey Through Christmas

(children and adults needed!)

on Wednesday, October 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM

at the Pine Valley Community Clubhouse
on Old Highway 80 in Pine Valley

Performance will be Saturday, December 12 at 7:00 PM

For questions, contact Dianne Holly at 473-8760

Rehearsal Schedule for A Journey Through Christmas:
(All rehearsals from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM)
Monday, October 26
Thursday, October 29
Friday, November 6
Monday, November 9
Thursday, November 12
Monday, November 16
Thursday, November 19
Monday, November 23
Monday, November 30

Technical Rehearsals (times will vary)
Sunday, December 6, 2:00-6:00 PM (putting up sets, lights, sound)
Monday, December 7, 3:00-6:00 PM (putting up sets, lights, sound)
Tuesday, December 8, 2:00-9:00 PM (finish lights and sound; Tech Rehearsal 6:00 PM)
Wednesday, December 9, 6:00-10:00 (Tech Rehearsal)
Thursday, December 10, 6:00-10:00 (Tech Rehearsal)
Friday, December 11, 6:00-10:00 (Tech Rehearsal)
Saturday, December 12, 6:00-11:00 (Performance; strike sets, lights, sound)

An Evening of Art with Moki Martin

2009-10-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

Sacred Rocks Reserve

2009-08-09T22:42:00.000-07:00

(Photo by Susanne Barrett)

On Thursday, August 6, the MECAC Board of Directors Judith Dupree, Dianne Holly, Tony Nash, Marshall Chapman, and Susanne Barrett held their monthly meeting at Sacred Rocks Reserve in Boulevard. An RV park and campground currently, the owners of Sacred Rocks are planning to shift the reserve to an Artists Colony as the mainstay of their 160-acre property with only 20-some acres developed. Beautiful rock formations, 400-500 year-old oak trees, wildlife, a 100-foot diameter labyrinth, and a salt water pool and hot tub are currently on the property, as well as eight "green" vacation cabins for rental or purchase. Sharon Courmousis, one of the owners, gave us MECAC'ers the "grand tour" of the grounds which are simply incredible, and her vision of an Artists Colony is spectacular and much-needed.

Feel free to contact Sacred Rocks for a day retreat or for a more lengthy stay in gorgeous and inspirational surroundings that will release the artist in YOU!

Keep your eye on the Sacred Rocks blog as well as the website for some exciting artistic opportunities coming up this fall, most of which will be posted to this blog as well.

Third Annual MECAC "A Taste of Art" Summer Program

2009-07-28T16:27:00.000-07:00

The Third Annual MECAC Summer Program "A Taste of Art" was a full-on success! Thirty children from ages 6 to 17 enjoyed "tasting" different kinds of artistic expression. Whether the younger kids (ages 6-11) were building, painting, and racing sailboats OR carving and painting plaster OR dribbling paint onto canvases in a tribute to Jackson Pollock OR painting on gessoed Masonite OR creating abstract mobiles, they had a wonderful time.

The older kids (ages 12-17) worked on a mural of Pine Valley, painting smaller canvases that will be assembled into a large piece for the Pine Valley Clubhouse. Arranged and organized by Dianne Holly, the kids painted their assigned canvases according to smaller color-coded cards that will allow the larger mural to be coherent.

Our gratitude is extended to Myrna, Mary, Marshall, Dianne, and all of the amazing and wonderful helpers who pitched in to make MECAC's Third Annual "A Taste of Art" a fun and educational experience for our young people!

MECAC at Pine Valley Day!

2009-07-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

MECAC will once again have a booth in the park at Pine Valley Days.

After the parade, come by our booth and check out the results of our Third Annual Taste of Art Summer Kids' Classes from this week.

We'll also be selling items, so come pick up your MECAC T-shirts (designed by Judith Dupree!), plus you won't want to go home without photography, cards, stained glass, jewelry, and other art pieces for sale by Mountain Empire Artists!

You will definitely need a delicious item or two from our Bake Sale and a drink of cold, refreshing fresh-squeezed Limeade!

Bring your kids by to make jewelry with Elizabeth and chat with us about what wonderful plans MECAC has for the future!

We'll have info on and sign-ups for upcoming events with the Pine Valley Players and the MECAC Writers' Workshop, plus some wonderful events this autumn that you won't want to miss!

So come on by and see us at the MECAC booth on Saturday! We're looking forward to seeing you THERE!

MECAC's "A Taste of Art" Kids' Summer Classes!

2009-07-07T02:08:00.001-07:00

Don't miss out on MECAC's Third Annual "A Taste of Art"

Summer Art Classes for Kids!

Monday, July 20 through Thursday, July 23

1:00 to 4:00 PM

Pine Valley Clubhouse, Old Highway 80

*****

To register children ages 6-11,

contact Myrna at 473-1037

or Mary at markplus5@yahoo.com

"I Sing America" a Rousing Success!

2009-07-02T22:53:00.001-07:00

The June 26 performance of Judith Deem Dupree's I Sing America was breathtaking in more ways than one. Over fifty backcountry residents gathered in the Pine Valley Clubhouse to experience the patriotic extravaganza of theater, art, and music. Eight local readers brought Judith's book alive as they portrayed Amerigo Vespucci (Duane Mason), the Narrator/Protagonist (DeBee Trant) and the Chorus (Christine Siders, Shontel Grivno, Mike Trant, Johnnie Jones, and Robert Rubin). Behind and emphasizing the words they read were musical selections as varied as Dvorak's "New World Symphony," Pete Seeger's "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" and Disney's "A Pirate's Life for Me" as images depicting our nation's history flashed on two large screens: Revolutionary War, Lincoln and the Civil War, the Mall of Washington DC, slaves and soldiers, school desegregation, the Mississippi River, Disneyland, poverty-stricken neighborhoods, and, finally, scenes from September 11. The spectators were silent, spellbound by the performances, by the breadth and scope of our nation's history, our nation's people.

Dianne Holly and Judith Deem Dupree

I Sing America was adapted from the book by Judith Deem Dupree by Dianne Holly (pictured above) who also directed the performance and arranged the visuals and musical background to Judith's poetry. In Judith's book, Amerigo Vespucci, for whom our country is named, views aspects of our history and of our present, commenting upon it with wisdom and in truth. As the Narrator attempted to question Vespucci or explain situations to him, we were drawn into seeing our country through a stranger's eyes, eyes that marveled at the beauty of our land but which also deplored the bloodshed, hatred, and violence that has been also been part of our past and our present. The commentary was well-taken by those who experienced the performance, who went away not just entertained but thinking, perhaps the overall goal of both the writer and the director -- a goal in which they succeeded admirably.

We can only hope that I Sing America will be performed for more than the fifty souls who experienced it last Friday evening as it is a beautiful and thought-provoking production that well deserves a larger audience.
*************
MECAC also thanks Douglas Edward Harrison (Sound Design), Allen Harnetaux (Sound Engineering), and Tammy Mason (Slide Technician).

With gratitude we also note: Linda Berardi (Pine Valley Clubhouse Manager), Larry McNamer (CBC Technical), Tony Neff of The Back Country Messenger, The Valley Views, and The Alpine Sun.

We also thank Margo Kreger of Lake Morena for the display of her beautiful art (pictured behind Dianne and Judith in above photo).

"I Sing America" Readers' Theatre Performance This Friday, June 26!

2009-06-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

The Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council (MECAC) presents a Readers' Theatre production of the patriotic work I Sing America.

This multi-media event will be performed at the Pine Valley Clubhouse on Friday Evening, June 26, at 7:00 PM.

From the book by Pine Valley resident and MECAC Director Judith Deem Dupree, adapted and directed by Pine Valley resident Dianne Holly, I Sing America features the vocal and dramatic talents of eight Mountain Empire residents.

Refreshments will be served, and a time of community fellowship will take place after the production.

Bring the whole family to enjoy this pre-Independence Day patriotic celebration!

Artistic Opportunities at The Latent Print

2009-06-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

The Latent Print is a website for San Diego artists to submit their work for possible publication. I ran across their site when perusing the San Diego Writers Online website, and The Latent Print looks quite promising. You can view their stunning website here: The Latent Print.

They are currently reviewing submissions in the following categories:

SHORT FICTION

SERIAL FICTION

POETRY

TWITTER POETRY

NONFICTION ESSAYS

STAGE/SCREEN PLAYS

EXPERIMENTAL WRITING

VISUAL ART

GRAPHIC NARRATIVE (COMICS)

PHOTOGRAPHY

VIDEO

Their submissions page will give you all the criteria necessary to publish there. Plus, all submissions remain the intellectual property of the artist, so we may submit the same works for publication elsewhere. It's a great place to start publishing!

Cast List for "I Sing America"

2009-05-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

This weekend Dianne Holly and Judith Dupree posted the Cast List for the June 26 readers' theatre production of Judith's Deem Dupree's I Sing America.

(For more information regarding the production, see the post immediately following this one.)

I Sing America Cast

NARRATOR: DeBee Trant

AMERIGO: Duane Mason

Actor #1 Christine Siders

Actor # 2 Teri Carpentier-Annti

Actor # 3 Margaret Bourdette

Actor # 4 Shontel Grivno

Actor # 5 Mike Trant

Actor # 6 Johnnie Jones

If you are cast, please check with Dianne Holly for the rehearsal schedule.

Don't miss this wonderful production at the Pine Valley Clubhouse on June 26 at 7:00 PM!!!!

I SING AMERICA Readers' Theatre Production

2009-05-23T21:14:00.000-07:00

Readers' Theatre Production of

Judith Deem Dupree's

I Sing America

Friday, June 26 at 7:00 PM

Pine Valley Clubhouse

Pine Valley Poet (and MECAC Director) Judith Deem Dupree has, with the able assistance of Dianne Holly, former theatre designer at UCSB, SDSU, and the Old Globe Theatres (and MECAC Secretary), prepared her poetry book I Sing America as a readers' theatre production. This week Judith and Dianne have been auditioning backcountry readers for one of the approximately eight parts in the production.

Twice a week throughout the remainder of May and most of the month of June, the readers will be rehearsing under the direction of Dianne and Judith. I Sing America is a patriotic piece; one of the main characters is Amerigo Vespucci, the person for whom the United States of America is named.

I Sing America will be performed on Friday, June 26 at 7:00 PM at the Pine Valley Clubhouse, just before we celebrate our nation's 233rd birthday on July 4. Refreshments will be served and we'll have time to chat with the community. So save the date -- don't forget!

From Our Director: Coming to the Mountain

2009-02-28T17:55:00.000-08:00

Coming To The Mountain
By Judith Dupree, MECAC Director

Those of us who live in far east San Diego County (Mountain Empire) have found all sorts of benefits and delights in being part of small communities. The long trip home from everywhere is fully justified by the aura that enfolds our jagged senses when we turn off the freeway and know we’re home. This we celebrate together, often without saying it; no more than a sigh suffices. There are real bonuses to being boondock’rs. We celebrate the clean air, the clear night skies, the special people around us, the balance we find here, despite this frenzied world. And much more.

But – there’s always a flea or two on the back of each critter. The flea for me, and apparently more than a few others, has always been lack of accessibility to the arts. That’s more than one flea; that’s a hound-dog full! That’s a mobile itch that I, for one, can never quit scratching. Music, drama, visual arts, writers’ workshops, learned speakers and doers of various genres, museums, galleries. A multitude of stimulating events remain tantalizingly far away, exhibits and concerts, etc., come and go, usually without me. Always I/we must weigh the extra time and travel costs, and sometimes the uncertainties of weather.

So . . . (Dare I mix my metaphors? Aw, writers do it all the time.) So, we decided, a few of us who were tired of scratching, to make lemonade of our lemon. (One big lemon can make a ton of lemonade. Fleas don’t like lemonade, of course, so you do see the connection, right?)

In all seriousness, I want you to know this: Art has begun to “intrude” in the back-country. MECAC has begun to flourish, because we base it as much as possible on the needs of the community. A known need, to many, a perceived need, to us: Where there is little or no awareness of the poverty of no-art, we pledge to help create awareness. We have begun to offer tastes of art at both youth and adult levels.

In fact, our children’s program is called just that: “A Taste of Art.” We want to “spoil” our kids out here: Art as lemonade? We want to go at the fleas –the inanities of modern life that stifle their inborn creativity. Yes! Just watch Myrna Mora, our Youth Arts Coordinator, with the kids!

We’re excited, we’re busy, we’re learning steadily, we’re avid for adventure. We want to prod the rest of the good folks out here – want to tell you that if you haven’t “itched” for art, it’s time. There’s something in everyone – everyone – that needs a touch of the esoteric to balance out the 9-to-5 practical, often drudging (and begrudging?) daily-ness that we settle into and call normal. Uh-uh; not meant to be the norm! Not even out here in our boonies!

Here’s what I most want to tell you: We are, each of us, created with an infinite capacity to appreciate and describe the indescribable, which discovering and enjoying and, yes, even practicing the arts do for us. It’s an endless, timeless amalgam of the rational [left brain] with the intuitive [right brain]. Something about the synapses connecting, maybe, and voila, Rembrandt! Degas! Beethoven and Bernstein. Uncle Hank with his carving, Cousin Rachel with her quilts, the kids next door who take piano or voice lessons! Voila!, each!

And voila!, Judith, Susanne, Dianne, Mary, Myrna, Marshall, Stephanie . . . Voila!, Norm, the plein air “master,” and all the other itchy, arts-hungry people who’ve joined in! May your tribe increase. And your itches become “Aaah’s!” Have some lemonade; there’s plenty to go around.

Back Country Messenger Writing Contest

2009-02-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

The Back Country Messenger is hosting a writing contest for all ages in the genres of poetry and short stories (fiction, nonfiction, and fantasy). The deadline for entries is March 12, 2009. Cash and other prizes will be awarded at a special Community Awards Ceremony at the Mountain Empire Community Center in Campo on March 18.

Complete information can be viewed by clicking the hyperlink to our writers' blog: MECAC Writing Workshop.

February 21: MECAC Writers' Workshop

2009-02-23T15:18:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, February 21, MECAC hosted our first Writers' Workshop at the Pine Valley Bible Conference Center. Twenty-three writers from our local area and "down the hill" attended a remarkable workshop with Dean Nelson, the founder of the Journalism department at Point Loma Nazarene University. Dean is the author/co-author of thirteen books and a longtime freelance writer for the New York Times. The all-day event was an incredible opportunity for writers to hone their craft and learn more about what makes writing truly work.

We thank Dean for coming all the way from Poway to lead this workshop and MECAC Director Judith Dupree for talking him into making the long trek and working with us. You may read about the workshop in more detail at the MECAC Writers' Workshop blog: MECAC Writers' Workshop with Dean Nelson.

February 13: The Art of Stained Glass

2009-02-15T15:19:00.001-08:00

Mountain Empire residents from as far away as Lake Morena who braved the wintry weather on Friday night were well-rewarded with an intriguing glimpse into the Art of Stained Glass as presented by Pine Valley resident Keith Barrett, who has made between 60 and 70 windows. Keith also is experienced in glass sandblasting, photography, woodworking, enameling, copper tooling, leatherwork, and other hand arts.

Keith, who started creating stained glass windows in high school, introduced the audience to a Power Point presentation of his recent four-foot by five-foot Tiffany-inspired stained glass window of 1,532 pieces installed last September in the home of Dr. Don and Mrs. Marcia Adema's Descanso home, the unveiling of which was a wonderful MECAC event. Explaining his design influences from Tiffany's work and from photographs he snapped himself of our Mountain Empire area, Keith demonstrated the tools used in cutting and shaping glass pieces as well as the copper foil technique of soldering the pieces together. He also answered audience questions regarding the method with which he doubled pieces of glass to create both color and texture that allowed him, in his own words, "to paint with glass."

After the formal presentation ended, the audience gathered around the front table where Keith demonstrated the different colors and textures available in glass on a small light table while answering questions regarding where he purchases his glass locally. He also displayed the hand tools and cutting blades used in constructing stained glass windows as well as allowing attendees to thumb through his book of stained glass windows he has created over the years.

Keith also exhibited the current window he is working on, a whimsical carousel horse with a swirled and "bubbled" background that creates the illusion of movement. This window, begun eighteen years ago and stored while Keith had no dedicated space to work on his glass art, is now being completed with the copper foil technique and with the help of several power tools such as a band saw, jig saw, and wet belt sander that were not available when he started the window.

The artistic evening was complete with cookies, cider, and coffee as the audience chatted among themselves and the guest artist, exchanging business cards and networking. Our Guest Artist Evenings are a great deal of fun besides being informative as we discover the hidden and not-so-hidden talents of our Mountain Empire friends and neighbors. If you missed this gathering, keep checking this site and the calendar on the sidebar (plus the Valley Views and flyers in front of the post office and around town) so you won't miss our next artistic offering to the Mountain Empire community.

The Art of Stained Glass

2009-01-29T19:50:00.001-08:00

The Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council presents ...

Keith Barrett, Master Craftsman

Demonstrating

The Art of Stained Glass

Friday, February 13, 2009, 7:00 PM

Pine Valley Community Clubhouse

Refreshments and Social Hour for artists, crafters and all who enjoy and

support the arts

Keith will present a PowerPoint overview of his work in designing and creating this stained glass window for the home of Dr. Don and Marcia Adema of Descanso. Keith will also display other stained glass projects and will offer basic information and encouragement to those who are interested in working in this art genre.

For further information, leave a comment here or call MECAC Secretary

Dianne Holly at 473-8760

For Our Photographers:

2009-01-15T16:05:00.000-08:00

Amateur and professional photographers:
CALL FOR ENTRIES
Best of Nature Photography Show International Juried Photography Competition at the San Diego Natural History Museum

Last day to enter is March 15, 2009
Show dates: June 27 to September 13, 2009
Opening reception: Saturday, June 27, 11 AM–1 PM
Grand Prize:$1000
First Place: $500
Second Place: $250
Third Place: $150
Six Honorable Mentions: $100 each
People's Choice Award: $100

More information

The Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum is inviting amateur as well as professional photographers to submit nature photography for the jurying process. Landscape, wildlife, and nature-based abstract/impressionistic images will be considered.

Calling All Writers!

2009-01-07T00:48:00.000-08:00

We have a real treat for all Mountain Empire writers and those interested in learning more about the craft of writing. Dean Nelson, Director of the Journalism Program at Point Loma Nazarene University, will make the trek up the hill to lead us through a special writing workshop. You can read more about Dean and his work by clicking right here.

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2009
Time: 9:00 AM to approximately 5:00 PM
Place: Pine Valley Bible Conference Center
Cost: $40, including lunch (A limited number of scholarships are available if cost is prohibitive)

Both Judith Dupree and Susanne Barrett of MECAC have known Dean for years and promise that he will lead a wonderful workshop, helping us to learn a great deal about the art of storytelling and the craft of writing. And his dry wit makes Dean a great deal of fun to listen to as well. If you have even a smidge of an interest in writing, this workshop is for YOU! And don't feel as though you must be a "writer" in order to come; beginning writers are welcome, even encouraged, to attend.

So please make reservations with Susanne by calling her at 473-0085 or e-mailing at booklovingbunch@aol.com. Space is limited, so make reservations soon!

A Wondrous "Journey"

2008-12-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

Aaaah, Christmas – the wonderful, magical time of year when we experience the season with the wonder of a child. Such was the delightful surprise that over 160 residents of Pine Valley and environs experienced as the Mountain Empire Creative Art Council's Pine Valley Players presented their first holiday production, A Journey Through Christmas, at Worthington Hall on the grounds of the Pine Valley Bible Conference Center on Saturday evening, December 13.

A Journey Through Christmas was written and directed by Pine Valley resident Dianne Holly (who also designed the extraordinary costumes!), ably assisted by Guatay resident Mary Aragon. Narrated by Christine Siders, the play chronicled Christmas celebrations starting with the Nativity, and proceeding through a Mexican Candlelight procession, a Victorian Christmas, a 1930's Depression-era family scene, and finished with a Soldiers' Christmas, represented by soldiers and their families from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War II, and the present-day conflict. Each tableau was beautifully portrayed by approximately 25 local actors ranging in age from children of seven years to some venerable and bearded Wise Men and a jolly Santa Claus.

Between and during the tableaux, the dozen singers of the all-female choir, directed by Teri Carpentier-Antti (who also provided the piano accompaniment), provided beautifully-sung Christmas selections. At the close of the play, the audience joined the choir in singing some beloved carols.

Before the production, the Free Teen Guitar Class of Alpine Anglican Church, directed by Fr. Keith Acker, provided guitar music for those who were finding their seats and perusing the Art Ornament Auction. Many thanks to all of the local artists who donated the beautiful ornaments and to Marshall and Mary Chapman who organized the auction, and especially to Mark Aragon and Debby Alexander for lighting and sound direction, along with kudos to many individuals and groups too numerous to list here.

Great appreciation and rounds of applause also go the Pine Valley Bible Conference Center for providing rehearsal space (along with the PVIC) as well as a beautiful (and warm!) production venue and to all who attended the play for their support of arts in the backcountry. Our wonderful and supportive advertisers also deserve our most grateful thanks for making this production possible: Father Keith Acker and Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity (home of the Free Teen Guitar Class), Stephanie Wells and The Southern California Center for Youth, Nature, and the Arts (MECAC's umbrella organization), The Mountain Empire Men's Club (for their cooperation in sequencing events), Pine Valley Community Church, Dry Clean USA of Alpine, Perkin's Market in Descanso, Glenn D. Mitchell Realtors of Pine Valley, Curves of Pine Valley, Mountain Market in Pine Valley, Albertsons in Alpine, Nail Spa Plus in Alpine, and Rex Grizzle, D.D.S. in Pine Valley. Thanks for your support of the arts!

A magical evening was enjoyed by all who experienced this first of what we hope will be many theatre productions of MECAC's Pine Valley Players in the Mountain Empire area.

A Journey Through Christmas

2008-12-10T13:30:00.000-08:00

The Pine Valley Players, the theatre branch of the Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council, invites all backcountry residents to our First Annual Christmas Production, A Journey Through Christmas, written and directed by Pine Valley resident Dianne Holly, with musical direction by Pine Valley resident Teri Carpentier-Antti.

A Journey Through Christmas will be performed at Worthington Hall on the ground of the Pine Valley Bible Conference Center at 8668 Pine Creek Road on Saturday, December 13. Curtain is at 7:30PM sharp. Donations will be gratefully accepted in lieu of a set ticket price. Refreshments will be served during Intermission.

The Free Teen Guitar Class from Alpine, under the tutelage of Father Keith Acker of Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity, will provide music before the performance.

A Silent Art Auction will also take place during Intermission and after the performance, with proceeds funding the Pine Valley Players and the Mountain Empire Creative Art Council's children's art programs.

Both adults and children from the Mountain Empire region will be performing in this production, so don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to increase Mountain Empire's Christmas Spirit! Families are encouraged to attend with their children.

For further information, please contact Dianne Holly at 473-8760 or leave a comment here on the MECAC blog.

Christmas Ornament Challenge!

2008-11-17T08:09:00.000-08:00

Holiday Greetings to all Artist, Artisans, and Crafters in the Mountain Empire Area:

The Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council (MECAC) is producing a Christmas play called "A Journey Through Christmas" on December 13, 2008. IN conjunction with the show, we are challenging all artists, artisans, and crafters to create a Christmas Ornament for a silent auction to benefit MECAC, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization to help underwrite art projects for the Mountain Empire community such as this holiday program.

Before the show and during intermission, theatregoers can bid (in a silent auction) on the artwork. Ornaments will be hung on a Christmas tree, and all other non-ornament items such as jewelry, paintings, carvings, poems, etc., will be displayed on tables for viewing. Following the show, auction winners will be awarded.

We welcome and encourage all artists and craft people to participate. This is a wonderful opportunity to show off your best work in making an "Object de Arte." Let your creative juices flow!

In addition, we will have space on several tables for you to display, advertise, and make connections with those who are interested in your work. However, due to legal constraints, no private sales are allowed during this evening.

If you wish to participate, please contact Marshall Chapman, Treasurer of MECAC, at (619) 473-9720 by December 1 so MECAC can plan the auction accordingly. You may also leave a comment here on the blog, and it will get to Marshall.

Thank you in advance for contributing to the continuation of arts in our backcountry. We have many plans in the works that will engage both children and adults in the arts, and your participation will help us greatly in these endeavors.

Writers' Workshop

2008-11-08T14:58:00.000-08:00

The Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council's Writers' Workshop meets the SECOND TUESDAY of each month in the Community Room of the Pine Valley Library at 7:00 PM.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 11 at 7:00 PM.

We welcome everyone interested in learning more about writing, from beginning writers to more experienced practitioners. We especially welcome those who perhaps have not written much, but would like to learn more about putting ideas on paper.

Those interested may bring along a piece of original writing to share with the group. And others are welcome to just sit back and listen. We encourage helpful feedback as we all work together to improve our writing and support one another. We may even work on a writing exercise together near the end of each meeting.

Come share your ideas and thoughts about the writing process. We enjoy supporting and learning from each other -- that's what our writers' workshop is all about. Don't be intimidated -- we're just here to help and encourage each other.

We are also looking forward to a Saturday workshop in February with the Director of MECAC, Judith Deem Dupree, who is a published author. More details will be forthcoming.

For questions or information, call Susanne at 473-0085 or leave a comment here.

Updated Rehearsal Calendar for A Journey Through Christmas

2008-10-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

REHEARSALS @ Pine Valley Clubhouse, 6:30-8:00PM
PLEASE BE PUNCTUAL

Tues. OCT 28 Entire Cast (read through script)
Thurs. OCT 30 Nativity and Narrator

Tues. NOV 4 Mexican Candlelight and Victorian (Worthington Hall)
Thurs. NOV 6 Soldiers and 1930s (Worthington Hall)

Tues. NOV 11 Narrator and Mexican Candlelight
Thurs. NOV 13 Nativity and 1930s

Tues. NOV 18 Narrator and Mexican Candlelight
Thurs. NOV 20 Nativity, Soldiers, and 1930s

Tues. NOV 25 Mexican Candlelight and Victorian

Tues. DEC 2 Entire Cast and Narrator @ Worthington Hall, Pine Valley Bible Camp
Thurs. DEC 4 Entire Cast and Narrator @ Worthington Hall, Pine Valley Bible Camp

DRESS AND TECHNICAL REHEARSALS @ Worthington Hall, Pine Valley Bible Camp, 6:00 - 9:00PM
ARRIVE BY 6:00 PM!
Mon. DEC 8 Entire Cast and Narrator
Tues. DEC 9 Entire Cast and Narrator
Wed. DEC 10 Entire Cast and Narrator

AFTERNOON PICK UP REHEARSAL @ Worthington Hall, Pine Valley Bible Camp
Sat. DEC 13 Entire Cast and Narrator and Santa Claus

PERFORMANCE @ Worthington Hall, Pine Valley Bible Camp, 7:30 PM Curtain
Sat. DEC 13 Entire Cast and Narrator and Santa Claus

Contact Dianne Holly with questions at 473-8760

Cast List for A Journey Through Christmas

2008-10-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

The Cast List for the Pine Valley Players production of A Journey Through Christmas

MEN:
#31 NORM GRAHAM (OLD SHEPHERD/SANTA)
#36 MIKE TRANT (MELCHOR/VICTORIAN FATHER/WWII. SOLDIER).
#23 DUANE MASON (BALTHAZAR/1930’S FATHER / MODERN SOLDIER.)
#?? CANNON LAROCQUE (JOSEPH./CIVIL WAR SOLDIER)
#21 JACK ARNOLD (CASPAR/REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER / MEXICAN FARMER)

WOMEN:
#24 CHRISTINE SIDERS (NARRATOR)
#35 KIM BLACK (1930’S MOTHER/MEXICAN WOMAN #3)
#1 ELIZABETH BARRETT (VICTORIAN MOTHER)
#32 MADISON BURGESS (SENORA DELGADO/REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER’S WIFE,)
#11 MARGARET BOURDETTE (MEXICAN MOTHER Juan's Mother)
#18 JESSIE CARPENTIER (MARY/CIVIL WAR SOLDIER’S WIFE)
#13 KATIE MAGIERA (MODERN SOLD. WIFE/MEXICAN WOMAN #4)
#16 MORIAH ARAGON (MEXICAN WOMAN #5 )
#12 TERI CARPENTIER-ANTTI (WWII SOLDIER’S WIFE/UNDERSTUDY FOR NARRATOR)

BOYS:
#3 JACK MASON (SHEPHERD BOY #5/1930’S CHILD David)
#40 JONATHAN BARRETT (VICTORIAN BOY Michael/CIVIL WAR SOLDIER’S CHILD)
#6 MATTHEW ARAGON (SHEPHERD BOY #1/MEXICAN CHILD #5 )
#2 MORGAN ARAGON (SHEPHERD BOY #4/MEXICAN CHILD #6)
#37 DEVON HANDY (SHEPHERD BOY #2)
#17 COLLIN LAROCQUE (MEXICAN BOY Juan/WWII SOLDIER’S CHILD)

GIRLS:
#4 HANNAH MASON (1930 ‘S GIRL Ruth/ MODERN SOLDIER’S CHILD)
#38 BRIANNA BLACK (SHEPHERD GIRL #3 / MEX. CHILD #3)
#39 ALICIA PHILO (VICTORIAN GIRL Sarah/MEXICAN CHILD #4/CIVIL WAR SOLDIER’S CHILD)
#14 AUBRIANNA (VICTORIAN GIRL Meg/MEXICAN CHILD #2/REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIER’S CHILD)

2008 East County Performing Arts Festival

2008-10-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

Fellow Artist and Art Lovers --

Do NOT miss the East County Performing Arts Festival!!!

Presented by the Southern California Center for Youth, Nature, & the Arts

***

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25

1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Alpine Community Center Park

(1830 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine)

***

Share in a GREAT day of fine art, handmade gifts, children's activities, and entertaining performances in dance, music, and mime!

***

MECAC will be hosting a booth selling the amazing art of Dianne Holly and will also be peddling baked good to support MECAC's Pine Valley Players as they prepare their 1st annual Christmas Program. (Details forthcoming -- stay tuned to this web site!)

***

SEE YOU THERE!

Tuesday Monthly Meeting: Pine Valley Art Docent Program

2008-10-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

The Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council

(MECAC)

invites you to our monthly meeting:

Tuesday, October 21

Pine Valley Library

7:00 PM -- 8:15 PM

This month it is our pleasure to offer you a "slice of the creative life" at Pine Valley Elementary School. Pam Villalobos, parent in charge of the Art Docent Program, and Myrna Mora, one of the faithful Docents, will present an overview of this very valuable program.

Therefore, this month's Guest Artists will be your children -- some of our Pine Valley kids -- as representatives of the various classes and their art experiences. You will have a chance to see Art-in-Action!

We particularly invite the parents of elementary children, both from the local school as well as those educated elsewhere. This is a truly community-oriented program, and you will appreciate knowing what out caring volunteers are doing to encourage the creative life of our youngsters! Come join the party!

Refreshments will be served. (If your children have an early bed time, grab a few cookies and slip out; we will understand!)

SEE YOU AT THE LIBRARY!

For further information, call Myrna Mora at 473-1037

OPEN AUDITIONS FOR CHRISTMAS PLAY

2008-10-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

Open Auditions for the

Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council's

Pine Valley Players'

A Journey through Christmas

****

Pine Valley Community Clubhouse

Friday, October 17

Young People: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Adults: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

****

Call Backs

Pine Valley Community Clubhouse

Saturday, October 18

Young People: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Adults: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

****

Alternate Auditions for Young People

Pine Valley Clubhouse

Tuesday, October 21

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

****

Questions? Contact Dianne Holly at 473-8760

An Artistic Evening for MECAC and Friends

2008-10-04T19:58:00.001-07:00

The room quieted. Forty pairs of eyes focused on the black curtain veiling the artwork. As Dr. Don and Marcia Adema each pulled their own cord, the curtain moved aside to reveal a 1500-piece Tiffany-inspired stained glass window designed and created by Pine Valley resident Keith Barrett. A gasp filled the room as the Ademas’ guests surveyed the work of nine months: 40 different colors and textures of glass forming the image of a grape arbor and garden columns framing a lake, a house, and hills with a background of a sunset sky. Applause filled the Descanso house at sunset on the evening of September 27.

(The window before unveiling)

The extremely-detailed stained glass window, in the color palette of browns, golds, and reds, was commissioned a year ago at a dinner party given by the Ademas of Descanso. Keith, who learned stained glass techniques at Christian High School in the mid-70’s, has completed approximately 70 windows, mostly commission work. The window, measuring approximately four feet by five feet, contained some pieces so small that four pieces of glass fit on the face of a dime simultaneously. This window has been the most detailed and ambitious window he has created.

(The stained glass window)

The inspiration for the window came from a book of Tiffany windows. Keith then took photographs of Dr. Adema’s grape arbor and his wife’s flower garden that he used to design the foliage. The beautiful mountain sunsets we view from our front porch became the inspiration for his portrayal the sunset – layers of colors ascending into deep blue at the top. The most amazing aspect of the window was Tiffany’s technique of using two panes of glass in certain places to give more depth of color and texture which Keith also used in the sunset sky, the hills, and the lake.

(The artist, Keith Barrett, shares his stained glass knowledge)

Keith used several newer tools in the completion of the window, including diamond-bladed jig and band saws and a wet belt sander to create art with this degree of detail would not have been possible when Keith first learned the art of glasswork without these tools. He used zinc caming to create the border; usually lead caming would be used but the zinc provides more strength. For the pieces within the frame, Keith used over 500 feet of copper foil which is taped along the perimeter of each piece of glass and then is soldered together, first the back of the window, and then the front. Keith also used a small glass kiln to fuse the paint used on the small house into the glass itself. All of these techniques came together to create this gorgeous stained glass window.

(The Townsend girls perform psalms set to classical music)

The Ademas’ artistic evening, which included a delicious spread of food and glasses flowing with champagne and sparkling cider, also showcased a musical treat by Psalms Forth Ministries. The Franklin and Townsend families entertained the guests with psalms sung by four young girls and the composer’s wife, set to music composed with a classical flair and accompanied by cello, piano, and flute. While some guests listened to the music, others took a closer look at the stained glass window, asking the artist questions and making comments as to the beauty of the work. Keith Barrett had also created a Power-Point presentation demonstrating his inspiration, his photographs, and the process of creating the window which he will use in a future MECAC Artistic Evening. September 27 was a most enjoyable artistic evening, one for which we thank the Adema family for hosting so beautifully.

Monthly Board Meeting

2008-10-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

We invite all interested Mountain Empire residents to attend

the Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council's monthly Board of Directors' meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 1:00 PM

in the Community Room of the Pine Valley Library.

We'll be discussing our Theatre Program,

the Alpine Performing Arts Festival,

and other upcoming events.

We value the feedback of all back country artists and patrons of the arts.

We hope to see you at the library!

The Unveiling of the Stained Glass Art of Keith Barrett

2008-09-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

Please join the Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council in the unveiling of the 1500-piece stained glass window designed and created by Pine Valley resident Keith Barrett at the home of Dr. Donald and Marcia Adema of Decanso.

Saturday, September 27 at 5:00 in the afternoon

Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served and classical music will accompany the stained glass unveiling.

All back country residents and Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council associates are invited to attend. Please RSVP and get directions through Susanne Barrett at 473-0085 or through comments on this blog.

Keith Barrett has created several dozen stained glass windows since he first learned the art in high school. He attended Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara and also studied industrial arts and jewelry-making at San Diego State University. For the past twenty-four years, he has worked as a self-employed architectural draftsman in El Cajon. This present window has been the result of nearly nine months of design, glass, and detail work.

September Board of Directors' Meeting

2008-08-30T00:35:00.000-07:00

MECAC's next Board of Directors Meeting will be this Thursday, September 4 at 1:00 PM at the Pine Valley Library. Anyone in the Mountain Empire area who would like to help plan events or has ideas for supporting and/or promoting the arts in the backcountry is encouraged to attend.

We enjoy hearing from the community as to the needs of Mountain Empire artists, providing venues for their work to be shown, and helping the children in our area experience the joy of artistic expression. All interested people are welcome to come and see what makes MECAC "tick" as we encourage the development and sharing of the arts in the backcountry.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment here or contact the MECAC secretary, Dianne Holly at 473-8760.

Come to MECAC's August Arts Fellowship

2008-08-11T15:13:00.000-07:00

THE MOUNTAIN EMPIRE

CREATIVE ARTS COUNCIL

Invites you to our monthly arts fellowship
Tuesday, August 19, 7:00
Pine Valley Library

This month* we will not have a guest artist. Our "program" will consist of good fellowship with those who are supportive of the arts in community, in area schools, and in individual practice. Come enjoy yourself and present your ideas. Find out what MECAC is doing now and our exciting plans for the year ahead:

Think "drama!" Think "music!"
Think, maybe…"YOU!"
Refreshments will be provided!

*Art Docent Pam Villalobos and several students of PV Elementary School will be our special guests in October, and we are planning a Special Event for September.

Check back on this site in the coming weeks for further details.

Contact Dianne Holly 473-8760 with any questions or leave comments here on the site.

August Board of Directors Meeting

2008-08-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

MECAC's next Board of Directors Meeting will be this Thursday, August 7 at 1:00 PM at the Pine Valley Library. Anyone in the Mountain Empire area who would like to help plan events or has ideas for supporting and/or promoting the arts in the backcountry is encouraged to attend.

We enjoy hearing from the community as to the needs of Mountain Empire artists, providing venues for their work to be shown, and helping the children in our area experience the joy of artistic expression. All interested people are welcome to come and see what makes MECAC "tick" as we encourage the development and sharing of the arts in the backcountry.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment here or contact the MECAC secretary, Dianne Holly at 473-8760.

MECAC Booth at Pine Valley Day(s)

2008-07-26T21:26:00.001-07:00

The Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council made itself well-known at the 2008 Pine Valley Day(s). The members of the Art Council distributed fliers touting our Free Drama Classes for grades 4-12 (see entry following this one for details) as well as Coming Events fliers detailing what MECAC is planning over the next few months.

A new banner and the work of both our adult members and our younger artists graced the MECAC booth. The photography of Judith Deem Dupree, the stained glass of Keith Barrett, the mosaic work of Evan Mora, the painted crafts and mosaic votives by Myrna Mora, plus wonderfully whimsical (and extremely practical) canvas bags were all for sale at the booth.

Many Pine Valley residents stopped by the booth to chat and to admire the canvas bags that have been the collective effort of Judith Dupree, Myrna Mora, and Dianne Holly as well as artwork of various kinds for sale. The most important reason for MECAC's presence was not fundraising, no matter how much money enables the council to support art programs both in the local schools and in the community. No, the reason for the booth was to enable MECAC Board Members to alert the Pine Valley and Mountain Empire community regarding upcoming programs and events, especially the FREE drama classes for our young actors.

Elizabeth B. organized and sold the donation bake sale goods, proceeds of which will help the new Pine Valley Players theatre group to purchase props, costumes, and take care of the costs of their upcoming winter play. The bake sale alone raised over $100 for the Pine Valley Players' future productions. Thanks to all who provided the delectable goodies to sell (and were they EVER scrumptious!), and thanks also to all who donated so generously to (and obviously enjoyed) the donation bake sale. All of you helped to make it a rousing success!

So keep your eyes "peeled" around town for MECAC fliers in front of the post office, at the library, in Pine Valley Java and Major's, and around the Mountain Empire area as well as in the Valley Views and here on the website. Some exciting ideas are coming to fruition in our local arts council, and I assure you, you won't want to miss a thing!

FREE Theater Classes in Pine Valley!

2008-07-23T22:07:00.001-07:00

FREE THEATER CLASSES NOW AVAILABLE IN PINE VALLEY!!!!

Level I Theater Class

Thursday Evenings, 6:30-7:30 PM, starting August 21 and ending September 25

Pine Valley Community Clubhouse

Taught by Dianne Holly, Retired Drama Professor at SDSU and UC Santa Barbara

ALL MOUNTAIN EMPIRE AREA STUDENTS

GRADES 4 THROUGH 12 ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND!

Classes will cover: Voice, Stage Presence, Monologues, Dialogues, and Improvisation

Limit: 20 students

Contact Dianne Holly at 473-8760 for details and to reserve a place in the class

Check back on our Web site for upcoming theater auditions and performances for Mountain Empire students and adults

It's All in the Costuming: An Evening with Dianne Holly

2008-07-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

(Dianne showing costume renderings for a production of Chicago)

On Tuesday, July 15, the Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council was treated to the amazing artistry of new Pine Valley resident, Dianne Holly, at our monthly Arts Fellowship meeting at the Pine Valley Library. Dianne's remarkable experience and expertise in the theatre arts is astounding: she has worked on hundreds of productions with the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, San Diego State University, and the University of California at Santa Barbara, among others. As a theatre designer, she has been responsible for much of the artistic vision of each production, including costuming, props, and, occasionally, stage design.

(Costume renderings for a production of Chicago)

Theatre design is not a solitary art like painting and writing can be; rather, theatre arts require great collaboration among the director, costume designer, lighting designer, stage designer, and other members of the production crew. Dianne explained the process of costume design, starting with laying out complicated plans for which actors will be involved in which scenes, including the amount of time for costuming changes between scenes. Next, the renderings for costumes are sketched out in pencil and ideas are discussed with the director and other designers, including color palette, textures, time period representation, etc. Dianne then creates watercolor renderings for each costume (some of which are included here for your enjoyment) and then shops for costume materials herself, attaching sample materials to the renderings for reference in the theatre "shop," where all the costumes and props are produced.

(Costume rendering of a bird in a production of Peter Pan)

Dianne, who holds a Masters of Fine Arts in design, has also taught theatre design at San Diego State University and UC Santa Barbara to students in addition to helping produce plays at both universities. She stated that at any one time she might be involved in up to five productions: costumes for dance performances, plays just beginning production, plays in mid-production, plays in rehearsal, and plays being performed on stage. It was Dianne's usual routine to be at the university by 9 AM for meetings and classes, spend the afternoon in the "shop" where the costumes are being created or in meetings with the director or other crew, then be on hand at rehearsals from 5 PM to 7 PM, and finally help with the actual stage production starting at 8 PM, finishing her day at midnight to 1 AM by the time the stage production wrapped up and everything was back in its place. At that late hour she would go home to work on watercolor renderings for plays in early production stages. Saturdays involved long drives to Los Angeles for costume materials. Such is the life of the theatre!

(Watercolor rendering of costumes for Hotel Paradiso)

After many years of this grueling schedule, Dianne retired just a year ago to Pine Valley where she lives with her brother. She is still involved in freelance theatre design and plans to sell some of her beautiful watercolor renderings. Dianne has already been involved in a local production of Twelfth Night with the Pine Valley Players,a group of homeschooled students, this past spring, and planning further local productions for young people and for adults is in the works. We at MECAC are thrilled to have Dianne as part of our Board of Directors, both as Theatre Director and also as Secretary, a responsibility she will be taking over from Susanne Barrett as of August 1.

(Costume renderings and sample fabrics for a production of the Restoration comedy The Rover)

We welcome Dianne Holly to the Mountain Empire area and to MECAC in particular. We have been, are, and will be blessed by Dianne's creativity, artistic vision, experience, expertise, and willingness to help start a theatre program here in the backcountry. Keep checking back here on the site and keep an eye out for fliers around the area and for announcements in the Valley Views and other sources for opportunities in local theatre arts. And please attend our monthly Arts Fellowship meetings, the third Tuesday of each month at the Pine Valley Library -- they are a treat not to be missed!

Come to Our July Arts Fellowship

2008-07-07T19:01:00.001-07:00

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE CREATIVE ARTS COUNCIL (MECAC)
INVITES YOU TO OUR JULY ARTS FELLOWSHIP
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 7:00 PM TO 8:30 PM
PINE VALLEY LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM

FEATURED ARTIST: DIANNE HOLLY
Senior Lecturer, Emeritus, UC Santa Barbara Drama Department

A new resident of Pine Valley, Dianne, recently elected as a MECAC Board Member, will be developing projects for the Mountain Empire region in the genre of drama and theatre design. Dianne will tell us about her career and what she wants to help accomplish here as part of MECAC.

Theatre Design is a collaborative art form that starts from the point of view of the script and the director's vision. As a theatre designer, her goal is to help reveal the world of the play and the characters that inhabit that world.

Designers use the same techniques and tools that all artists use. They work with line, color, texture, space (both positive and negative), form, balance, and also function, all to control the viewers' focus and create a visual world that not only pleases but informs the viewer. As a theatre designer, Dianne throughly enjoys the process of research which encompasses not only the visual history of a period but also explores the social, political, artistic, moral, and spiritual aspects of that world.

If you are an artist, a crafts-person, a "wannabe," or simply believe in encouraging the arts, you will find yourself at home among us. We are stretching our wings, ready to "fly" in new directions. Come be a part of our ongoing adventure! Come meet our July Artist -- DIANNE HOLLY -- and schmooze with us!

DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY ON PINE VALLEY DAY, JULY 26, TO SEE OUR ARTS & CRAFTS BOOTH!

"A Taste of Art" a Roaring Success!

2008-07-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

The Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council's "A Taste of Art" Summer Art Camp 2008 gave nearly 30 young people from the Mountain Empire region the opportunity to learn woodworking as well as sketching and acrylic painting. Several crafts were also taught, including glass mosaic and decoupage. One of MECAC's goals is to put quality art materials in the hands of and give quality art instruction to the children of the Mountain Empire region as funds for the arts are not readily available within the school district.

The highlight of the four days of classes was the design, sanding, painting, and racing of pine derby cars, led by MECAC Treasurer and Pine Valley resident Marshall Chapman and his very able assistants Mary Chapman and Jenny Murrell. In the above photo, Mary Chapman helps our budding artists with the design of their cars which Marshall then took home and cut each car according to the design of each artist. The next day the artists carefully sanded their cars using several grades of sandpaper, some stapled onto dowels for ease of use. On the third day, each artist painted his or her own car, and on the final day, they raced their cars on a wonderful track built by Mr. Marshall himself.

The artists/racers were divided into two groups according to age: the Junior Division (ages 8-10) and the Senior Division (11-14). But before the racing commenced, all participants and all adult helpers voted on their favorite car design in each division, considering both the contour and the paint job. In the Junior Division, Benjamin was voted the winner with Jessica as runner-up, and in the Senior Division, the winner was Timothy with Sierra as runner-up. And then the racing began! The Junior Champions were: 3rd Place, Matthew; 2nd Place: Briana; and 1st Place: Julia. In the senior division, the champions were: 3rd Place: Michaela; 2nd Place, Kaelyn; and 1st Place: Aaron M.. A final race took place between the Junior Champion and the Senior Champion, and (pictured below) Julia, the Junior winner, won the Championship Cup!

The Sketching/Acrylics class was taught by Pine Valley resident and long-time MECAC participant Pat Elliott. The first day's activities involved the sketching of various shapes and learning the art of shading to create three-dimensional images.

Subsequent activities included learning to mix acrylic paints to create a color wheel (see above photo) and painting "washes" that provided the backdrop for sunset or seascapes painted in black paint against the colorful wash. The artists learned several methods of sketching and painting this week, thanks to Ms. Pat's tutelage.

The third class offered on all four days was a crafts class led by Myrna Mora, a Pine Valley resident, MECAC Youth Director, and art docent at Pine Valley Elementary School.

The first craft involved glueing pieces of colored glass onto small glass candle votive holders to create designs in mosaic. The second day the artists used white grout around the mosaic designs (see above photo) to further attach the glass to the votive and make the colored glass stand out (and let the candlelight shine through). Other crafts included decoupage: gluing down pictures and printed sayings onto wooden plaques and then using layers of decoupage glue over the entire surface to create a unique wall hanging. Wooden plaques were also used as the base to make three-dimensional designs out of tissue paper. Myrna is a favorite among all of the students at Pine Valley Elementary, and her crafts classes were a very popular option for our young artists.

An impromptu music class concluded "A Taste of Art," led by Pine Valley resident and MECAC Music Director Teri Antti, involving drawing, acting, music, and singing. This musical extravanganza created the perfect conclusion for four days of art classes.

MECAC extends special thanks to our adult helpers, without whom these classes could not have taken place: Judith Dupree, MECAC Director; Susanne Barrett, MECAC Secretary; Stephanie Wells, MECAC Board Member; Dru Arnold of Descanso; Mary Altergott of Redding, and Pam Villalobos, Art Docent Director at PV Elementary.

MECAC also gives grateful recognition to all who brought their children to the classes, to all who helped set up and clean up the Clubhouse each day, to the PVIC for use of the Clubhouse, to the Southern California Center for Youth, Nature, & the Arts in Alpine and to the Mountain Empire Collaborative for their kind donation of funds for art materials, to our terrific art teachers and volunteers who went above and beyond the call of duty, and to all in the Mountain Empire region who support and promote the arts.

We hope to see you all next summer for another "Taste of Art"!

MECAC Directors Meeting Thursday, July 3

2008-07-03T00:16:00.000-07:00

Our July Board of Directors Meeting will be held at the Pine Valley Library at 12:30 PM this Thursday, July 3. Please note the time change just for this meeting. All Mountain Empire residents who would like to help plan upcoming art outreach projects and monthly meetings are welcome to attend. We value the input of the community!

MECAC News: A Donation of Canvases

2008-06-21T22:32:00.000-07:00

We are delighted to announce that a substantial donation of stretched canvases has been received recently — a gift from Tara Materials, a national company that makes beautiful picture frames, stretched canvases in several price ranges, and other arts materials. Their local branch at Otay Mesa has given us over 300 canvases in a variety of sizes — all with minor defects (some undetectable to our untrained eyes), none of which prevent their use.

We are extremely grateful, first to Dan Herrscher, Purchasing Manager, who made the arrangements, and to the company manager and staff. It was a very thoughtful gift to our small organization and will enable us to move forward in ways that might not have happened — or not so quickly. Now we can approach schools with new projects that were previously unrealistic, and perhaps begin an ongoing adult arts program that will fill a gap in the Mountain Empire Community.

The frames are being stored at the Pine Valley Bible Conference Center, which has the adequate space needed. In exchange for that favor, they will have the opportunity to use some of the canvases for their own arts programs ahead. Norm Daniels, their resident artist (and part of the Administrative Staff), managed to contain his glee. Barely.

If you have creative ideas for creative arts, let us know! We’re here to serve the Mountain Empire community in whatever ways we can.

An Evening with Sandra Hayen

2008-06-18T12:31:00.000-07:00

MECAC's "Featured Artist" for the month of June is Sandra Hayen who is temporarily residing in Pine Valley, and she brought a lovely collection of her oil paintings for the MECAC audience to enjoy. Primarily a studio artist, Sandra prefers oils because they are the most "forgiving" of artistic media and because of their "juiciness." Calling herself a "slow painter," she classifies her work as "between realism and impressionism" and finds inspiration from the Hudson River Valley painters and the early California Impressionists. Sandra refers to herself a "tonalist" rather than a "colorist."

Two of Sandra's paintings of the backcountry have appeared in Land of Sunlight by San Diego author James Lightner, including "Pine Creek Crossing" pictured in the topmost photo. She belongs to many art associations including the Foothills Art Association, Oil Painters of America, San Diego Museum of Art Artists' Guild, California Art Club, and The "San Diego Seven" as well as hanging her art in two galleries in Julian, the Helga-O Art Center and the Pine Hills Lodge Gallery.

Sandra considers herself to be 50-75% self-taught. She has gleaned her techniques from reading, taking many painting workshops, observing works in museums and galleries, plus she spent three years copying the Old Masters. Sandra mentioned that her training has been "very traditional" and believes that one "must know the 'rules' of art before breaking them." She also states, "Every painting calls for a different approach." Sandra considers her artistic strengths to be composition/design, values, color mixing, and critiquing. She told the audience, "I paint because I can't imagine not painting!"

After painting, Sandra's next love is teaching. Since 1990, she has taught public classes through Grossmont Adult Education and the College Avenue Community Art Center and now holds private classes in Coronado and Lemon Grove. She teaches her students, "Artists have the power of making the viewer look where the artist wants them to look." We all very much enjoyed Sandra Hayen's informal presentation as she discussed her background and work as well as answering several questions from artists in the audience.

Please join our next monthly Featured Artist meeting on July 15 at the Pine Valley Library at 7:00 PM as MECAC presents Pine Valley resident Dianne Holly who will be demonstrating the art of theatre design. Whether or not you are an aspiring thespian, don't miss it!

Summer Program Starts June 23!

2008-06-16T17:15:00.000-07:00

Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council (MECAC)
Presents

“A Taste of Art”
Youth Summer Arts Program (Ages 8-14)
(Classes will be divided into 2 age groups if appropriate.)
Pine Valley Community Clubhouse
Dates: Monday, June 23—Thursday, June 26
1:00-4:00 p.m.

1:00: Pine Derby Race-Car construction
Marshall Chapman, wood craftsman
Race your car: Thursday and on PV Day

2:00: Sketching & Acrylic Painting
Pat Elliot, artist, specializing in animals
Two days of sketching,two days painting

3:00: Crafts with Myrna Mora
Everyone’s favorite craft person!
Every day something new!

Reserve a Spot NOW! Pre-Registration Deadline: June 20
Bargain Prices: $3 for one 3-day class, $10 whole session!!
(Several scholarships available; contact below)

For Pre-Registration Contact: Susanne Barrett -- 473-0085 -- Booklovingbunch@aol.com

UPDATE: AS OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, WE HAVE **NO** SPACES LEFT FOR "A TASTE OF ART"! YOU MAY LEAVE YOUR NAME ON THE WAITING LIST WITH SUSANNE IN CASE ANY OPENINGS COME UP.

A Note from Our Director: At the Heart of Art

2008-06-12T19:57:00.000-07:00

By Judith Deem Dupree,
Co-Founder, Director
Pine Valley, CA

At the heart of art . . . that’s where we intend to “plant ourselves!” This smallish venture was raised up out of the rocks and rills of East San Diego County, where art is mostly an individual passion or practice by a relatively few scattered souls. Or so we thought, at the onset. What a pleasure to find out how wrong we were! Artists out here in the boondocks are mostly unknown and under-appreciated, but not rare--simply faced with little outlet for public expression.

It’s been three years since we joined two small nuclei (from Pine Valley and Campo-Lake Morena)- villages out beyond what is deemed civilization. Both little groups were struggling to find expression and draw in warm bodies. It was a marriage of convenience that “took.” After the first year as an entity, we knew we were on to something essential. Full of “essence,” and needed.

Right away, I informed my counterpart from the Campo area that she was the director. And it was a good choice. Denise Morse was a delight to us all, and a dynamo (a very pretty one at that!). Now, Denise has moved to Tucson, and is sure to put forth her extensive passion and energies elsewhere. We miss her greatly yet continue to heartily value her friendship, business acumen, and wise advice.

Now we have done a bit of shape-shifting, as two other stalwarts also tiptoed out for their own mandatory reasons and several new board members newly come aboard. New plans, new directions are forming, along with the prior commitments. We are excited! We note the loss of these first beloved artsies who made it all happen, but the parting was sweet, with nary a dark moment between the lot of us. That is success in anyone’s estimation!

We are now a non-profit, 501 c (3) organization, an affiliate of CA Center for Youth, Nature, & The Arts (CYNA), located in Alpine, halfway "down the hill" toward San Diego. The CYNA director, Stephanie Wells, is a valuable member of our Board as well.

Our purpose and plans? To fill that obvious gap in public art, and to become a bridge for those who know and love the arts, providing both instruction and fellowship. To help those who perhaps don't know much about the arts - "helping them help themselves." Perhaps they lack the means or self-motivation to come out of their respective closets. They’re out there, and we’re finding them. Now, and we hope, increasingly, we’ll be funding them.

The dearest part of our vision, the part we’ve practiced mostly, is working with children. Through the schools, beyond the schools, we’ve reached out with announcements, flyers, ads, word-of-mouth, everything we can think of to tell the children and youth in the back-country that “There’s fun and adventure in art!” They are beginning to believe us!

Our newest venture is theatre arts. We are fortunate to have on board Dianne Holly, emeritus professor of theatre at UCSB. She is a dynamo, and is staging a Christmas play cum carols that will surely be a delight to the local communities.

We’ll keep you posted. We’ve only just begun, as the saying goes. If you live in the [greater] Mountain Empire community, come join the fun - as part of the team, or as someone who wants to explore a bright new dimension in life, or a believer in the art-needs of our children. Or all of the above. We are waiting for you. At the heart of art.

June Featured Artist: Sandra Hayen

2008-06-05T17:17:00.001-07:00

On TUESDAY, JUNE 17 at 7 PM at the Pine Valley Library, Sandra Hayen will be the June Featured Artist for MECAC's monthly meetings. Sandra is an accomplished artist who paints in oils, and her work, which includes San Diego sites, will be a true delight to experience. In her own words (from Sandra's web site which you may access by clicking on her underlined name above):

My oil paintings are a reflection of my love for nature's splendor. The sheer beauty of nature beckons me to capture its ever-changing moods on canvas. I strive to impart a sense of peacefulness, tranquility, and serenity in my interpretation of nature.

Sandra's work has been published in James Lightner's Land of Sunlight: Contemporary Paintings of San Diego County (above). We look forward greatly to hearing her artistic vision and seeing her extraordinary work on June 17th. So come meet Sandra Hayen! We'll see you at the Pine Valley Library at 7 PM!

Board of Directors Meeting

2008-06-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

This Thursday, June 5, MECAC will be hosting our monthly open BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING at the Pine Valley Library @ 1:00 PM. All who interested in planning events and supporting the arts in the Mountain Empire region are invited to attend. The MECAC Board of Directors meet at the library on the first Thursday of each month if you'd like to put the date on your calendars.

If it's not too windy, we'll be meeting on the back deck; otherwise, we'll be in the Community Room. We hope to see you there!

A Joyous Play: Twelfth Night in Pine Valley

2008-06-01T17:28:00.003-07:00

On the evening of May 31 at 7 PM, Shakespeare entered Pine Valley in the guise of the production Bruce Coville's adaptation of Twelfth Night presented by the Pine Valley Players under the direction of Dianne Holly of Pine Valley and the assistance of Mary Aragon of Guatay.

The Pine Valley Players formed in the middle of April as a group of homeschooled students who were to learn theatre history and the dramatic arts from Ms. Holly who has been involved in productions with UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, and San Diego's Old Globe Theatre. Over the six weeks of the class, the students only had the scripts for a month and presented the 40-minute production with a mere 15 hours of rehearsal. And the Pine Valley Players did a bang-up job.

Theatre-goers packed the Community Clubhouse, and from the laughter and applause, one can assume they enjoyed the production very much. The plot of Twelfth Night is as convoluted as most Shakeapearean comedies are: Duke Orsino (Joseph Daniels) has fallen in love with the Lady Olivia (Elizabeth Barrett). Viola, a shipwrecked young woman (Aubrianna Sprague), disguises herself as a young man named Cesario who becomes a messenger for the Duke, and while serving the Duke, Viola falls in love with him. While spurning the Duke's love, Lady Olivia, in turn, falls in love with Cesario -- Viola in disguise. A wonderful subplot involves the maid Maria (Olivia Martin-Spisak) along with Sir Toby (Rusty Daniels) and Sir Andrew (Kaila Holloway) playing a trick on Lady Olivia's manservant, Malvolio (Jack Arnold of Descanso). Other characters include the fool Feste (Josh Murrell), Viola's long-lost brother Sebastian (Caleb Murrell) who returns near the end of the play and is mistaken for Cesario and Cesario for him, and Sebastian's friend Antonio (Moriah Aragon). Other players include Matthew Aragon as the sea captain/priest, Briana Black as an officer/servant, and Hannah Holloway as a servant/officer. The play, abridged to two acts, was held together by the narrative talents of Liz Murrell and Mikala Aragon.

(Lady Olivia and Duke Orsino vie for Cesario/Viola)

Thanks go to Pine Valley Community Church for the lights and sound, to Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity for donating substantial funds for costumes and props as well as a web page devoted to photos of the play, to the Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council for publicity, to Gary Holloway for videography, to Dru Arnold for stage managing, to Mary Aragon for the adaptation of the play, to Lianna Sprague for her help backstage, to Dianne Holly and Debbe Graham for costumes and props, and especially to Dianne Holly for her wonderful direction and tutelage of the young people. The play ended with a speech by Ms. Holly who, though never having worked with students younger than college-age before, thoroughly enjoyed her experience working with Mountain Empire homeschooled students.

We hope that this production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night is the first of many plays to be performed by the Pine Valley Players. The Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council hopes to support future dramatic productions in the backcountry. If you are interested at all in assisting with a drama program in our area, please contact Susanne Barrett through a comment on this blog.

FREE Shakespeare Performance in Pine Valley!

2008-05-28T00:09:00.001-07:00

The Pine Valley Players, under the direction of Dianne Holly, will be performing their first play, Bruce Coville's adaptation of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night this Saturday evening, May 31, at 7:00 PM at the Pine Valley Clubhouse. And we can't beat the ticket price: FREE admission for all!

The Pine Valley Players recently formed under the leadership of Mary Aragon of Guatay for home-educating families to have a theatrical outlet here in the backcountry. Dianne Holly, who has extensive theatre background at the University of California at Santa Barbara as well as San Diego's Old Globe Theatre, has generously donated her time and money to make this theatrical debut a success. A Pine Valley resident, Ms. Holly's work and dedication is much appreciated by the approximately twenty home-educated students who have been studying acting, costuming, set design, blocking, elocution, and theatre history under her tutelage for the past six weeks. Many backcountry homeschooling parents are also grateful for her excellent teaching and direction of their students which Ms. Holly has provided at no cost.

Donations will be accepted at the Clubhouse on Saturday night to help with the several hundred dollars Ms. Holly has herself invested in this production. We hope to see many backcountry faces in the audience on Saturday evening at 7 PM to support our drama students and Dianne Holly for the first of what we hope will be many wonderful drama performances in the future.

In the days following the production, which should last approximately 45 minutes (and therefore is entirely suitable for children as well as adult audiences), MECAC will provide photos and a review of the performance, so please check back here next week.

**UPDATE**
Father Keith Acker and the civic-minded folks at Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity have stepped up to donate $300 to the Pine Valley Players, the amount that Ms. Holly had contributed from her own pocket for the production. Thanks, Blessed Trinity, for your wonderful contribution to backcountry arts!

Wellness Fair Art Contest: Healthy Fun

2008-05-26T18:57:00.001-07:00

This year marks the second MECAC-sponsored art contest for the Wellness Council's annual health fair held at the Mountain Empire Junior-Senior High School. Despite the rain and hail periodically pouring down outside, the Fair vendors and attendees were snug and dry inside the school gymnasium where the Fair has been moved when the weather threatened to damp the fun.

(Denise Morse greets Wellness Fair attendees at the MECAC Art Contest tables)

MECAC is excited to announce that this year we accepted 43 entries for the contest, approximately ten more than last year. The theme for the art contest for grades K-6 was "The Art of Healthy Living." In the months before the contest deadline of May 9, MECAC Board of Director Members personally went to most of the elementary schools in the Mountain Empire region and gave presentations at school assemblies to encourage participation in healthy living and in entering the art contest. MECAC gives special kudos to Mrs. Tanner's Kindergarten Class and Ms. MsEvoy's Second Graders, both of Descanso Elementary School, for their wonderful class participation! A MECAC delegate will be awarding both classes with Honorable Mention ribbons this week as a thank-you to these two classes who created such colorful and remarkable artwork.

In fact, the MECAC Board Members who "manned" (rather, "womanned") the art tables were approached by the Albertson's managers who asked if the art contest participants would be willing to hang their art in the brand-new Albertson's grocery store in Alpine. What a great idea to let the entire community see the creativity of our young backcountry artists!

Our First Place winners in the Kindergarten-Third Grade and Fourth-Sixth Grade categories were Sammy of Descanso Elementary, with his fine "Vitamin" poster, and Evan of Pine Valley Elementary with his wonderful watermelon glass mosaic.

Our Second Place winners in the Kindergarten-Third Grade and Fourth-Sixth Grade categories were Benjamin of Heritage Christian School with his colored-pencil drawing of a pear and banana, and Marian of Descanso Elementary with her drawing of a basketball game. The Third Place winners in the above categories were Philippa of Pine Valley Elementary with her painting/crayon depiction of a fruit basket, and Jonathan of Heritage Christian School with his colored-pencil drawing of an apple.

And our Grand Prize Winner for Mixed Media was Samantha of Pine Valley Elementary with her three-dimensional tissue-paper-and-glue fruit bowl. The judges were very impressed with the creativity and attention to detail demonstrated in this work of art.

Prizes of quality art supplies from Aaron Brothers for each winner were contributed by the Wellness Council and chosen by MECAC. Our outgoing Director, Denise Morse, kept everyone hopping -- or at least bouncing -- as the kids and adults who were receiving stamps on their cards to enter in the prize drawings had to bounce a ball on a wooden paddle a certain number of times in order to earn their stamp. Hand-eye coordination is integral to art, right? Our current Director, Judith Dupree, and our Secretary, Susanne Barrett, also helped to "woman" the art contest table at the Wellness Fair, along with the help of outgoing Board Member Margo Kreger.

This art contest was the culmination of several months' work by MECAC of planning and setting up the contest, promoting the contest in the schools, collecting and storing the artwork at the deadline, purchasing prizes for the different categories, attending Wellness Council meetings, judging the artwork, and then setting up the display of the art, representing MECAC at the Wellness Fair, and then packing up the artwork once again. Plus some prizes and ribbons still need to be presented this week to winners who did not attend the Wellness Fair.

MECAC extends thanks to the Wellness Fair for their support of the Arts and of the children of the Mountain Empire region as well as the Mountain Empire Collaborative which presented MECAC with a check for $250 at the Wellness Fair for MECAC's Summer Art Program. Part of MECAC's goal is to work with the children of our backcountry communities to provide them with quality artistic opportunities. Our goal was more than accomplished in this month's Wellness Fair Art Contest.

An Evening with Nancy Enright-Reib

2008-05-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

MECAC's Featured Artist for May is Pine Valley's own Nancy Enright-Reib. On the evening of May 20th, Nancy brought a generous exhibit of her work to share with the monthly MECAC gathering, including a remarkable papier-mache puppet she made as a Girl Scout, tissue paper collages, a wonderful watercolor (see below), string collages, crocheted framings, collages including real butterflies, and many other examples of creative uses of paper and crochet.

A resident of Pine Valley since 1977, Nancy has also been writing for over thirty years by taking part in an autobiography group in La Mesa. Writing vignettes, especially about living in Europe in 1963-1964, Nancy showed us notebooks filled with stories of various events of her life. Adopted at eighteen months of age by a single woman, Nancy also writes about the finding of her birthmother and other family members, including an aunt just in the last few years.

Nancy also explained her philosophy of art that stems from her years of living abroad and attending many art workshops both in Europe and here in the States. She also developed spatial relationships in her works through classes in perspective. The watercolor below was created during an art seminar at the Pine Valley Clubhouse in the late 1980's.

The MECAC gathering very much enjoyed Nancy's sharing of her artistic vision as well as her writing and collage work. Thank you, Nancy, for being willing to share your life and your work with us!

We encourage all back country residents who are artists or are interested in the arts to join the monthly MECAC gatherings. Unless otherwise advertised, you'll find us in the Pine Valley Library Community Room from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on the third Thursday of each month. Our next Featured Artist is painter Sandra Hayen on June 17, so don't miss out on this remarkable artist!

Welcome!

2008-05-15T16:43:00.000-07:00

We at the Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council of San Diego County welcome local artists of all genres: musicians, poets, writers, painters, sculptors, dramatists, actors, singers, composers, and fine artists of all sorts to our weblog.

Here we will post upcoming monthly meetings, happenings, and opportunities in the backcountry for artists as well as local arts and crafts fairs and cool gatherings of all kinds for local artists to meet, network, admire each others' work, and perhaps even show off our own.

Our Board of Directors is working hard to provide opportunities for the talented artists of our back country to shine. We also have a passion to reach out to the children of Alpine, Pine Valley, Descanso, Guatay, Campo, Potrero, Boulevard, Mount Laguna, and the environs with the inspiration, creativity, and confidence that comes from artistic expression.

So come join us on our artistic journey! We're very glad you're here.